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WEV provides business training

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) provides business training to women and who want to start or expand an existing business. WEV is holding free, 1-hour informational sessions for their English course in Ventura County. Orientation will cover class details and help you determine readiness for the next Self-Employment Training (SET) course beginning in February. (SET courses are offered in English and Spanish in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.)

Orientations are offered throughout the year and are required to enroll. Location will be given at RSVP. Thursday Feb. 4 ,  6-7 p.m. in Ventura

WEV’s Women’s Business Center offers a comprehensive 14 week, 56-hour Self-Employment Training (SET) program for women and men who want to start or grow a business. Programs are offered in both English and Spanish in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, and provide week-by-week training on topics including finances, marketing and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, and record keeping. After the 14 week course, WEV SET graduates emerge with a completed business plan and the most important tools and resources they need to start a new business or grow their current business.

 

WEV is a nationally recognized, local non-profit that provides business training, small business loans, and many other resources. Since 1991, WEV has served over 12,000 clients, made over $3.5 million in microloans, and helped start or sustain an estimated 3,000 businesses supporting more than 4,000 local jobs.

 

Orientation location is subject to change. To find out more information or to register for the orientation, call 456-2342 or visit the website at http://wevonline.org/orientations. For more information about Spanish programs contact 456-2319.

Ventura Chamber installs new board

2016 Executive Committee members James Perero, Steven Brown, Jeff Hata, Charnell Smith, Greg Van Ness, and Greg Gillespie. (Not pictured: Sam Benner and Matthew Graczyk)

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Board Installation on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at The Pierpont Inn.  The event was attended by business members, City officials and dignitaries including Ventura City Council Member Cheryl Heitmann; Brad Hudson, Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s Office; Angelica Cisneros, Assembly member Das Williams’ Office; Michael MacDonald, Senator Hannah‐Beth Jackson’s Office; and Steve Offerman, Supervisor Steve Bennett’s Office.

Outgoing Board Chair, Saurabh Bajaj presented an overview and highlights of the Chamber’s many programs and accomplishments over the past year, thanking the Chamber members, Board, and staff for their support and contributions.

During the year, the Chamber increased its value in the business community through focus on partnerships with a variety of organizations and enhanced the visibility of the Chamber in the business community through increased attendance at Chamber and community functions. The Chamber became more proactive in advocacy for business and grew its focus on economic development.  Education partnerships continued to be a source of pride with the Chamber’s Teacher of the Month and Principal for a Day programs, and through Leadership Ventura.

Bajaj also highlighted some key numbers which included the organization’s success in recruiting 120 new members, attracting nearly 2000 attendees to its major functions, and offering more than 170 opportunities for business networking and connections.

During Bajaj’s term, the Chamber also experienced a leadership transition with the hiring of the new President and CEO, Stephanie Caldwell, who began her tenure in late April.

James Perero, incoming Board Chair, presented his vision and the Chamber’s theme for 2016 – “Advocating for Business; Helping Ventura Thrive.” Perero outlined the four key focal points of the Chamber as he addressed the goals for the coming year. Perero’s plan includes working with the City of Ventura to improve the development process;  increasing diversity and engaging with businesses in all areas of the city geographically, ethnically and by industry sector;  recruiting hyper‐growth entrepreneurs to start, grow and expand here in Ventura;  and finally engaging with on the homeless issue. Outgoing Chamber Senior Director, Randy Hinton, installed the new Chamber Board Directors. Among the newly installed Directors were James Perero, Sam Benner, Steven Brown, Matthew Graczyk, Greg Gillespie, Jeff Hata, Charnell Smith, Greg Van Ness and Saurabh Bajaj.

Some Ventura Chamber businesses were also recognized for being long‐time members, including Ventura Trophy Company, member for 50 years, and 25‐year members Anchor Printing & Graphics, Assistance League of Ventura County, Gold Coast Recycling, Kiwanis Club of Ventura, Nicoll Insurance and Financial Services, and Whisenhunt Communications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ventura Potters’ Guild Gallery features Gayle Bentley Swanson for February

art potters guildThe Ventura Potters’ Guild Gallery is featuring Gayle Bentley Swanson for the month of February.  She will be receiving visitors Friday, February 12 from 2:30 – 6 pm, although her work can be seen 11 – 6 pm every day.

Swanson’s color palette consists of our beautiful Ventura coastline’s blues. Shades that swirl and captivate. As a bonus for purchases during Valentine’s week, Potters’ Guild President, Genie Thomson and Hospitality chair, Roe Estep, have fashioned beautiful little ceramic roses that will be given to customers from Sunday, February 7th through Valentine’s Day, until they are gone.

Ventura County Potters’ Guild Gallery
Ventura Harbor Village
644-6800

 

Ventura College Santa Paula hosts Via 126 at Ventura College Santa Paula Learning Resource Center March 11

art ventura collegeVentura College Santa Paula is pleased to host Via 126, an art exhibition presented by the Artists Guild of Fillmore. The exhibition will be featured at the Ventura College Santa Paula Learning Resource Center through March 11. The Artists Guild of Fillmore was founded in 2009 to promote interest in original work created by local artists.

“We are very fortunate to be able to highlight the outstanding work of some of our local artists,” said Ventura College President, Dr. Greg Gillespie.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Free Parking is also available.

 

 

Lynn LeTourneau at Bell Arts Factory

art LeTourneauLynn LeTourneau has studio #84 at Bell Arts Factory on Ventura Ave.where she paints her wonderful abstracts.

She also teaches a class Painting Inside/Out which is a 4 step process to connect to your Inner Muse and express your unique voice in paint. A New York City native, Lynn LeTourneau studied at the Art Students League and the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts.  New beginnings inspired her desire to express herself with paint on canvas.  Her paintings are abstract, energetic and colorful diving into the essence of life.

 

Katie Fagan’s solo exhibition at Buenaventura Art Association’s downtown Ventura gallery

art FaganKatie Fagan’s solo exhibition opening next month at Buenaventura Art Association’s downtown Ventura gallery is both a celebration and an invitation.

The Feb. 9-March 5 show will feature about 20 recent works in acrylic on Masonite, ranging from 6 by 6 inches up to 20 by 24. She’ll be present to greet visitors and talk about her art on two evenings, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 13 for the opening reception and at First Fridays Ventura, 5-8 p.m. March 4.

To see Fagan’s beautiful results, visit the Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., which is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Vol. 9, No. 9 – February 3 – February 16, 2016 – Answer In A Breeze

If you have a question you would like answered send it to [email protected] and we will try to get an answer for you.

answer in a breeze insertQ.   What is proposed on the triangle lot where the closed Joes Crabshack is located ?
Walt Mattace

A.   The proposed project, at 567 Sanjon (or is it San Jon?)  is a 231-unit multi-family residential apartment project and the demolition of a 7,000 square foot restaurant building on approximately 11 acres. The project includes 137 one-bedroom units, 91 two-bedroom units, and 3 three-bedroom units.

answer in a breezeAdditionally, the project includes a new bluff-top public promenade with overlook areas fronting onto Hwy 101 Freeway. Additionally, a 20,000 square foot publicly accessible park space is proposed to be developed at the western edge of the project site adjacent to the southern terminus of Ash Street. The project proposes one new street designed as a two lane collector (it will be called Vista Del Mar)with public parking available on both sides of the street. Sidewalks are located on both sides of the street for pedestrian access.

The proposed project was reviewed by the Design Review Committee on Jan.20. The Committee had several concerns about the project as submitted including the possibility of incorporating the shuttered Crabshack into the plans. The project will be going back to the Committee after their concerns have been considered. It will still be several years away from development while securing the many approvals required.

If you want more information regarding this the city planner handling the project is Jared Rosengren, AICP at 658-4737.

 

Surfrider Foundation Ventura County Chapter Meeting Tues. Feb. 2nd

Guest Speakers on Pervasive Plastics in our Sandy Beach Ecosystem

Surfrider welcomes the public to join us at our first general chapter meeting for 2016 on Tuesday February 2nd from 6:30 to 8:30 at Patagonia / Great Pacific Iron Works.

The chapter meeting will cover local program and campaign updates and feature a guest presentation by a research team from the California State University at Channel Islands. Dr. Clare Steele,  and seniors Michaela Miller, and Dorothy Horn will be on hand to present their capstone project research on pervasive plastics in our sandy beach ecosystem.  These are plastics you can’t see or pick up, but are being found throughout our environment.

Michaela is studying the composition and seasonal fluctuation of plastic particle contamination off of our coasts to give us a better understanding of where it comes from and how to manage it. Recent recipient of a WRPI-USDA research grant, Dorothy Horn has found both micro fibers and plastic particles in sand crabs off our coast and is studying the effects of this human caused pollution on these organisms and the effects on the adjacent sandy beach ecosystems.

As California votes in November 2016 for a statewide plastic checkout bag ban (vote YES!), news about plastic pollution popping up in odd places such as sand crabs is alraming. Join Surfrider’s Rise Above Plastics program to help fight the waves of plastic pollution.

Another focus for Surfrider in Ventura this year is raising awareness of the need to bring down Matilija Dam as a major step toward the natural rehabilitation of Surfrer’s Point. Come out to the chapter meeting to learn more about all of our local programs and campaigns.

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE TO HELP?

The list is endless, but you can pitch in at the Surfrider beach cleanup at Ormond Beach from 9am-11am on Saturday February 27th. Visit www.facebook.com/venturasurfrider for updates on all of these events and more.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. ventura.surfrider.org